As a visitor to Bermuda, I saw your articles about the 1,000th voyage of the Oleander . Even the 100th voyage of the first Oleander was mentioned.

What I have missed in all those articles is the seamanship and experience of the handful of Dutch sailors that made it possible to run that line.

Most of the crew of the first Oleander, left their family and friends for several years to serve the Bermuda Line. Together with John S. Darrell they made the foundation the BCL is built on.

ADRIAAN C. LEEUWIS Former Chief Engineer of the first Oleander Pembroke The more things change... August 24, 1999 Dear Sir, "68. We therefore recommend that careful attention be paid to the question of communication in the Regiment, but in the meantime Commanding Officer's conferences and Permanent Staff conferences should be held on a regular and more frequent basis.'' "Summary of Recommendations'' 92. the Committee recommends that: (13) Careful attention should be paid to the question of communication in the Regiment, and Commanding Officer's conferences and Permanent Staff conferences should be held on a regular and more frequent basis...'' Quoting from the latest report of the Committee referred to in your edition of August 23, 1999 . Believe it or not, the above is from the Astwood Report of 1989. Surprise, surprise. Ten years later, the same problem; identified in probably identical language.

Who are these people trying to fool? SQUARE-BASHING BERMUDIAN City of Hamilton Two people for one job August 25, 1999 Dear Sir, In the new Bermuda, where previously one person held a position, it is now taking two or three persons.

When Mrs. Sheila Manderson left the hospital recently, two persons were appointed in her place. At the Bermuda College, in order to keep their man, Dr. Peters, Bermudian Dr. Larita Alford is to be appointed effective September, 2000, having both of them in the post September to December, 2000.

It is also now taking an Attorney General, a Director of Public Prosecutions and a consultant to fill the former Attorney General's post.

What lengths will they go to get/keep their man or woman? KEEN OBSERVER City of Hamilton Rude driver is not alone August 24, 1999 Dear Sir, I refer to the article in The Royal Gazette entitled "PTB driver slammed for rudeness'' published on August 24, 1999, I, too bear witness to the same unruly, uncalled for and absolutely unnecessary behaviour in bus drivers.

Seventy percent of the bus drivers have terrible attitudes. they are especially rude and disrespectful to tourist and children.

It's a pity that they seem to hate their jobs so much; they should be dealt with severely, Mr. Basden must take appropriate and serious action, as even six complaints a month is way too high, just imagine the incidents that go unreported.

There are some lovely, respectful and helpful bus drivers, they should be compensated by some meritious award system as encouragement and appreciation, also the others should be told who the drivers are and be made to spend an entire week or month with these drivers, somewhat like a mentorship programme.

They need to be taught that their attitude depicts their altitude.

I implore emphatically that this problem be dealt with and not just swept, once again, under the carpet, or a tap on the wrist. The ambassador programme is not working adequately enough. It needs to be reviewed and really certain personalities just do not belong in the people service oriented industry. I am under the impression, that the main qualification is a valid driver's licence, this should not be the case. It is a serious issue and needs to be eradicated post haste.

A CONCERNED OBSERVER Smith's Parish BFAB to the rescue August 24, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me an opportunity to share with the public some assistance my husband and I received from the Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau.

About two weeks ago we attempted, but with little success, to capture a sick and aging wild cat my husband had been feeding for many years. He called BFAB the following morning and they immediately responded to our call. Debbie, a volunteer, provided us with a trap and food. Although this proved unsuccessful too, she offered to keep in touch. the cat, we called "Mr. Visitor'', left for two days and we thought that was the end of him. However, he returned but in a worsened condition than before. We knew he needed to be relieved from his suffering.

Again, we attempted to carefully catch him and that time we were successful.

We called Debbie around 8 p.m. that evening and within a few minutes she came to our home, briefly examined Mr. Visitor and suggested that he be put down as he was very ill. Debbie, sensing my distress over the whole affair was very kind to reassure us Mr. Visitor would be given the kindest care in this his final hour.

While to many this may seem unimportant, I feel the need to point out to our community the significant contribution an organisation like the Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau and its volunteers are providing to cats who can no longer help themselves and to us as well. Cats who are sick can pass on diseases to other house pets and in some instances pass some diseases on to us and our children. As long as BFAB are able to attend to the needs of these animals Bermuda's feline population will stand a chance of living healthy lives and so will we.

Thank you Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau and all your volunteers! Thank you Ettrick Animal Hospital for the assistance you lend BFAB, To the public, please support this vital non-profit organisation through your generous contributions. When it comes down to it, we are the ones who benefit in the end.

BERNIE AND DOREEN BLEE Paget Observer on the mark August 26, 1999 Dear Sir, I agree with the point of Observer's August 26 Letter to the Editor that people living in glass houses should not throw stones. The Canadian husband and wife serial rapists that Observer was referring to in his or her letter are Paul Bernardo and Karla Holmolka. Mr. Bernardo and Ms Holmolka were involved in the murder of at least three women and the sexual assault of at least 15 others. The press, including many investigative television shows, have reported extensively on their story. If Observer wishes to find out more information about Bernardo/Holmolka, Observer should read one of the three novels written about them or visit the Internet site recounting the horrors of their crimes.

While no amount of punishment or money can redress the suffering of Bernardo's and Holmolka's victims and their families, my own observation is that justice has been rendered in their case. In return for giving Crown's evidence against Mr. Bernardo, Ms Holmolka pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter and received two 12-year prison sentences that run concurrently. Mr. Bernardo was convicted of numerous offences, including first degree murder. He received a life sentence and was declared a dangerous offender so he has almost no chance of parole. One of Mr. Bernardo's sexual assault victims successfully sued the Toronto Police for failing to adequately warn potential victims about the dangers they faced while he was still at large. Whatever the outcome of the Middleton case,, I believe it is wrong for people to call for a boycott of Bermuda or judge Bermuda harshly as a result of the Middleton case because the vast majority of people living in Bermuda are caring, decent and law-abiding.

JAMES DORR Paget Thanks for the clean-up August 26, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me a little space in your column to say thank you to a neighbour who for years has faithfully kept the Bostock Hill East road clear of road side weeds and cane grass.

One would think the neighbours would keep the areas in front of their homes cleared. However, Manuel has been faithfully clearing away the unsightly grasses, weeds, etc. Thank you Manuel, we appreciate it, we've just never told you before how much we do.

HAPPY MOTORING! Paget